Though Chauncey Billups is listed as day to day with a strained left groin, the Nuggets point guard will likely sit out at least tonight’s game against the New Orleans Hornets, and perhaps additional contests.

If so, what would the Nuggets do?

First, don’t be surprised if the Nuggets start Anthony Carter in Billups’ place. That way, coach George Karl could keep the continuity of his bench and rotation intact. Rookie Ty Lawson would come off the bench as the reserve point guard, and J.R. Smith would handle the ball as well in his normal sixth-man role.

If Karl were a bit paranoid about a lack of scoring from a starting lineup that had Carter and Arron Afflalo in the backcourt, he could go so far as to start Carter and Smith, then bring Lawson and Afflalo off the bench.

Whichever direction Karl decides to go, Carter, Lawson and Smith all would handle the ball during the game.

Lawson said he is ready for whatever his role may be.

“Yeah, I think so,” Lawson said. “Just conditioning-wise and just overall basketball-wise. I’ll take on the challenge. If I didn’t want to, I shouldn’t in the NBA.”

After a hot start, Lawson’s minutes have dropped after defenses adjusted to him and reduced his effectiveness. After playing an average of 22 1/2 minutes in the first four games of December, Lawson didn’t reach the 20-minute mark again until Wednesday night — a span of five games — after Billups left the game. Law has averaged 16.6 minutes in those five games.

“I think first, no one really knew about me, so I was getting a lot of things easily,” Lawson said. “But now, people are changing their defenses, going under screens and stuff like that, just clogging the paint. I haven’t shot it yet, but that’s what I’ve been working on lately.

“So I’ve got to adjust to what they’re doing. It’s probably going to take a little bit of work, but I’m adjusting to the game real well.”

If Billups is out for a significant period of time, no one seems worried that other players won’t step up and play well in his absence.

“We showed that (on Wednesday),” Carmelo Anthony said. “A.C. always seems to be ready when his number is called.”

The Birdman has played better recently, and his teammates and Karl are taking notice. Andersen is averaging 9.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. All of those numbers are well above his season averages. He has three consecutive double-digit rebound games.

“I’m glad Bird’s playing better,” Karl said. “His personality is very important to us. I don’t think numbers are important, it’s just how he plays and how he has an impact on the game, and in the past four or five games, at least three or four of them, he’s been ‘Bird.’ “

Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson had butterflies before Sunday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. It wasn't because of the big-name opponent, but rather his return from a 13-game injury absence and being stoked to rejoin a team in a playoff push and looking for its third postseason appearance in 10 years.